nominate Lesser Black-backed Gull (L. f. fuscus)

(last update: 16-11-2009)

Larus fuscus fuscus 7cy C7R7, July 09-15 2003, Tampere, Finland (61.33N 24.59E).

C7R7 was ringed in Luopio, Finland (61,34N 24,70E); ringed as pullus on June 30 1997 by Risto Juvaste. Hand when ringed: 155 mm. 
Ring records at Tampere landfill:
1999: 11 records from 1999-05-17 until 1999-08-10,
2000: 7 records from 2000-04-27 until 2000-06-04,
2001: 22 records from 2001-04-18 until 2001-08-12,
2002: 22 records from 2002-04-21 until 2002-08-10,
2003: 21 records from 2003-05-17 until 2003-08-13.

Ringed as pullus at Luopio 1997, now in 7cy. A representative for the adult fuscus by mid-July. Most striking are the small size, the slender bill, the dark upper-parts which turn brown hued when older and worn, the lack of moult in the scapulars, wing-coverts and the primaries and the small white tips on the outer primaries, which wear away quickly. The basic moult hasn't started yet, as all primaries still old in July 2003. PMS in 2002 not judged. Note the strong brown hue on the scapulars and compare with the cold dark grey fresh central median coverts. Note also the brown median primary coverts.